Science

Why study Science?

The study of science seeks to explain the material world. For example: Why do viruses spread?  How do painkillers work? It provides explanations based on concepts, laws, theories, and models established through scientific enquiry.  It develops a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena.

It enables pupils to engage with the opportunities of live science offered by the local context. It brings to life the opportunity to understand how scientific knowledge becomes established through scientific enquiry. Pupils appreciate the significance of science to society and their own lives. They recognise the significant contribution science has made in the past and the continuing importance in solving global challenges. Pupils understand the nature and status of scientific knowledge knowing it is open to revision in the light of new evidence.

There are three guiding elements which are brought to life in the science curriculum:

Educational excellence: Science engenders an appreciation of the power of science and a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena. It allows pupils to connect to the real world and see the beauty in the simplest day to day mechanisms. It has depth and breadth and helps ensure pupils have the opportunity to access the highest levels of attainment. It opens endless career opportunities in the forever growing science industry and increases the life chances of our learners.

Character development: Through the study of science, pupils learn to appreciate their surroundings, which naturally encourages them to become better citizens who look after the world in which we live. It also exposes them to a range of debated current day issues, which ultimately develops tolerance and respect for people’s viewpoints. Through the study of different diseases and illness, it helps make compassionate young people who care about the wellbeing of others. It also helps pupils to understand how scientific knowledge becomes established through scientific enquiry.

Service to communities: Science helps to develop informed citizens who can critically evaluate the impact of their choices on themselves and others around them, through the extensive study of climate change and the impact of the carbon footprint across both key stages makes, for example. It contributes to the production of local, national, and global ambassadors who are committed to drive for a better community and better world. For example, through the study of the impact of plastics on wildlife and ecosystems. It highlights the significant contribution science has made in the past and the continuing importance in solving global challenges.

How will I study Science?

Pupils:

• Develop scientific knowledge and conceptual understanding through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.
• Develop the understanding of scientific methods and processes through different types of science enquiry which allows them to answer specific questions about the world they live in.
• Are equipped with the scientific knowledge required to understand the uses and implications of science today and in the future.
• Can access and critique conceptual models and theories to make sense of the observed diversity of natural phenomena.
• Appreciate that every effect has one or more cause.
• Understand that change is driven by interactions between different objects and systems and that they occur over distance and over time.
• Understand that science is based on hypotheses, practical experimentation, observation, theory development and review.
• Know that quantitative analysis is a key element of theories and scientific methods of enquiry.

What will I study at Key Stage 3?

We encourage our pupils to be curious about the world around them and to develop a positive and practical approach to scientific learning. In Key Stage 3, we build an understanding of the fundamental ideas in science that are relevant to pupils’ lives during and beyond school. We achieve this through a wide and varied curriculum in which pupils are regularly challenged and reviewed. We introduce most of the broader aspects of each science and then start to take those concepts and delve a little deeper. For example, of why cells are adapted in certain ways, or why energy transfers occur in particular ways. Pupils will also develop an understanding that science is about working objectively and is continually changing and developing in the world around us. There is a big focus on carrying out practical experiments relevant to the topics to motivate students, stimulate their interest in learning, enhance the learning of scientific knowledge and to give them experience in widening their way of thinking.

What will I study at Key Stage 4?

Teaching science in key stage 4 continues to build upon and deepen the substantive and disciplinary knowledge and understanding developed in Key Stage 3. In Biology, the topics covered seek to understand living organisms and life. It takes into account the complex systems involving interactions between genes, the environment and random chance. Physics builds its explanations on measurable quantities that can be put into numerical relationships. Chemistry draws heavily on the use of models and modelling to explain the behaviour of matter and routinely involves the synthesis of the objects it studies. Pupils continue to work scientifically and think like a scientist through a broad, coherent and practical based curriculum that will challenge and inspire students.

Assessment

Internal assessments take place task place at regular intervals throughout both KS3 and KS4. Broadly, there are two types of assessment; fluency composite task and a composite test.

Composite fluency tasks are completed at the end of a topic and are used to check whether students are reaching curriculum related expectations.

Composite tests are used to assess the cumulative coverage of the curriculum and check whether learning is sticking over time and if students are reaching curriculum related expectations.

External Examinations

Combined Science
Examination Board – Pearson/Edexcel

A mixture of different question styles, including multiple choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. Calculators may be used in the examinations.

Separate Sciences
Examination Board – Pearson/Edexcel

A mixture of different question styles, including multiple choice questions, short answer questions, calculations and extended open-response questions. Calculators may be used in the examinations.

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

Enrichment

The department offers subject-specific enrichment clubs and organises a range of educational visits throughout the year. Trips include the Catalyst centre and Chester Zoo. We also have a BAE Roadshow delivered to our students. Pupils are able to take part in school-wide competitions, as well as representing the school in local and national competitions designed to increase their engagement and enhance their subject knowledge. Intervention sessions to consolidate prior learning and ensure maximum progress are at the heart of our delivery model. Clubs include Science club and a STEM club.

Careers

The study of Science can lead to future careers ranging from Paramedic, Occupational Therapist and Speech and Language Therapist to Aerospace Engineer, Vet and Pharmacist. Famous Science graduates include David Attenborough (Natural Scientist), Helen Sharman (first female and first British astronaut to visit the International space station), Angela Merkel (German Chancellor).

Useful resources and revision support

• KS3 Science Bitesize
• Planet Science
• School Science Website
• Steve Spangler Science
• BBC GCSE Bitesize
• AQA Revision Ideas
• My GCSE
• Doc Brown